In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From Kitwanga via Meziadin and the detour to Stewart and Hyder to the Alaska Highway: around 750 kilometres through the Coast Mountains, where the phone falls silent and the next moose is just a bend away.
The spirit of the route
Highway 37 is the quiet sister of the Alaska Highway. Between Kitwanga and Watson Lake you drive 725 kilometres through north-west British Columbia, past glaciers, lakes and mountain ranges that hardly anyone names. There are few villages, but long stretches without reception, forest to the horizon and evenings when the sun hangs late over the peaks. At Meziadin the detour to Stewart begins, where Bear Glacier reaches almost to the road and in late summer bears hunt at the salmon streams in Hyder. Further north the Tahltan plateaus open up, the road leads past Iskut and Dease Lake, where jade is taken from the mountains, and ends in the Yukon in the forest of signs at Watson Lake. The route demands planning: a reserve in the tank, provisions for three days, a spare wheel and patience with roadworks and wildlife on the road.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Kitwanga to Meziadin Junction (approx. 155 km)
- The drive
- From the turn-off from Highway 16 at Kitwanga, Highway 37 leads north through the Nass area. The road is paved and two-lane, with climbs and long forest stretches, speeds usually 90–100 km/h. There are hardly any settlements, fuel stations are rare and partly seasonal; start the leg with a full tank. Driving time about 2 hours, half a day with stops. Wildlife, log trucks and roadworks are frequent.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Gitanyow (Kitwancool): a village with one of the most significant collections of totem poles in the region; visit respectfully and only at the places open to visitors.
- Cranberry Junction and the Nass Valley: information boards on the history of the area and the salmon run; after rain the access to side roads can be softened.
- Meziadin Lake Provincial Park: lake and fish ladder (Meziadin Fishway), where salmon climb in summer, from July to September depending on the year.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Meziadin Lake Provincial Park on Highway 37 near the turn-off to Stewart: campground on the lake with a swimming spot and boat ramp, simple sites, toilets and a water point, no electric or sewer hook-ups. Check vehicle lengths and reservation options at bcparks.ca; sites are often quickly taken in high summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On Crown land, camping in BC is allowed for up to 14 days in one place, outside reserves and parks. Along the forest roads there are Recreation Sites; avoid access routes after rainfall. When it is wet, use only paved pullouts.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up before you start: mobile reception exists only in sections, and breakdown assistance can take hours. Check travel time and road conditions at drivebc.ca and via the closures hotline; roadworks with waiting times are normal in season.
2Stage 2: Meziadin Junction to Stewart and Hyder (return to Meziadin) (approx. 130 km)
- The drive
- Highway 37A leads about 65 kilometres west through a narrow valley to Stewart, with glaciers and waterfalls lining the route. The road is paved, with bends and climbs, speeds 60–90 km/h. In Hyder (Alaska) the road ends; the road to Salmon Glacier is gravel and often unsuitable for larger motorhomes. Pure driving time there and back about 3 hours. Entry to Hyder: no US customs, but on the return to Canada there is a CBSA check in Stewart; carry your passport.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Bear Glacier Provincial Park: The glacier reaches almost to Highway 37A; a stopping point on the shore offers a view of the glacial lake. Check the park status, no camping.
- Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site near Hyder: platforms in the Tongass National Forest where bears show themselves in late summer when salmon spawn. Check the fee and opening times with the Forest Service.
- Salmon Glacier: one of the largest glaciers visible from roads; the road from Hyder is gravel with narrow sections and is recommended more for cars and smaller motorhomes.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Stewart: Rainey Creek Campground, a municipal site near the town, basic facilities; check operator and opening times beforehand. Hyder has some private campgrounds whose status changes. If you do not stay in Stewart, drive back to Meziadin Lake Provincial Park.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Free camping around Stewart and Hyder is only possible on Crown land outside the settlement; in the Hyder area (Tongass National Forest) the Forest Service rules apply. If in doubt, stay on a campground.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up in Stewart and ask about the road condition before driving to Salmon Glacier. Early morning or late evening gives the best chance of bears at Fish Creek. The way back to Meziadin is the same road, so start stage 3 fresh straight away.
3Stage 3: Meziadin Junction to Iskut (approx. 250 km)
- The drive
- Back on Highway 37 you head north via Bell II and Bob Quinn Lake. The road is mostly paved; undulations and frost damage are possible, with numerous climbs, speeds 80–100 km/h. Many sections have no mobile reception. The landscape changes from coastal forest to open valleys, and at the end the volcanic cones of the Mount Edziza area appear. Driving time about 3.5 hours, a full day with stops. Fuel stations in Bell II, Bob Quinn Lake and Iskut; check opening and availability by phone beforehand.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Bell II and the Bell-Irving Valley: wide valleys, moose and bald eagles at lakes and rivers; photo stops at the pullouts.
- Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park: the lakeshore with a view of the mountains of Mount Edziza Provincial Park; hiking trails in the park lead into the backcountry.
- Iskut (Tahltan territory) and Eddontenajon Lake: the starting point for tours to Mount Edziza; information on Tahltan culture in the village.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park (Kinaskan Lake) with a campground on the lake: simple sites, toilets, water, no hook-ups. In Iskut there are private sites; check status and opening beforehand. Check reservation options with BC Parks (bcparks.ca).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Crown land and Recreation Sites along Highway 37 are numerous; many access roads are gravel. In Tahltan territory, heed the signs for reserves and wilderness areas. Fire bans are frequent.
- Insider tip for campers
- Carry a spare can of petrol or diesel; do not skip fuel stops. Rockfall can damage windscreens: fit a protective grille or film before the trip, and check the spare wheel and puncture repair kit. Always carry a supply of water and food for 48 hours.
4Stage 4: Iskut to Jade City (approx. 195 km)
- The drive
- From Iskut continue north over the Stikine Plateau section to Dease Lake and on to Jade City. The high plateau offers wide views; the road is paved, with hills and twisty sections. Speeds 80–100 km/h. Driving time about 3 hours. Dease Lake is the largest place on the route with a fuel station, grocery shop and garage; top up supplies here. Jade City is about 115 kilometres further north.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Stikine River Gorge: If you get the chance you can drive the Telegraph Creek road; it is very steep and narrow and not suitable for motorhomes and trailers, more a destination for cars or vans.
- Dease Lake: the main town of the region in Tahltan territory, with supplies; a visit helps in understanding the history of the region.
- Jade City: The area is among the world’s significant nephrite jade deposits; the shop there is a well-known rest stop where jade stones are sold. Collecting on mining claims is not permitted.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: In Dease Lake and around Jade City there are simple private campgrounds and rest areas; check status and opening times. Alternatives are Recreation Sites at lakes such as Dease Lake or on rivers; access roads are partly gravel.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Crown land along the route is in principle open; in Tahltan and Kaska territory local rules and reserves apply. Avoid gravel tracks in rain.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up in Dease Lake, fill your water and top up provisions; further north there are long stretches without supplies. If you arrive at dusk, watch for wildlife: moose, black bears and caribou (woodland caribou) cross frequently.
5Stage 5: Jade City to Watson Lake (Yukon) (approx. 145 km)
- The drive
- From Jade City north via Good Hope Lake and Boya Lake to the border between BC and Yukon and on to the junction with the Alaska Highway. The road is paved with hills, speeds 80–100 km/h, driving time about 2 hours. Mobile reception is available in sections. The Yukon observes Mountain Standard Time (UTC−7) all year; in summer that equals the time in BC, in winter it is one hour ahead of Pacific time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Boya Lake Provincial Park (now officially Tā Ch’ilā Provincial Park): a turquoise lake over pale limestone mud (marl) with swimming spots and canoe launches; trails along the shore.
- Good Hope Lake: a Kaska Dena settlement with a fuel station (check whether it is operating) and rest facilities.
- Watson Lake: Sign Post Forest with thousands of town signs from around the world, plus the Northern Lights Space and Science Centre; a walk round takes about an hour.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Boya Lake (Tā Ch’ilā) Provincial Park with a campground on the lake: about 44 simple sites with fire pit and pit toilets, only a small portion reservable, drinking water only in the main season; season roughly May to September, check the status with BC Parks in advance. In Watson Lake there is a Yukon government campground (Watson Lake Campground) as well as private sites; check opening and vehicle lengths beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On Crown land in BC up to 14 days; in the Yukon different rules apply, and camping at Alaska Highway rest areas for one night is often tolerated (heed local signs). If in doubt, stay overnight at a campground.
- Insider tip for campers
- Before you join the Alaska Highway, fill up in Watson Lake, fill your water and decide whether to continue east (Liard Hot Springs, Fort Nelson) or west (Whitehorse). Check road conditions in the Yukon at yukon.ca and 511yukon.ca.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- In British Columbia, camping on Crown land is generally permitted without a permit for up to 14 days at the same place; excluded are private land, First Nations reserves, parks and protected areas. Recreation Sites (Recreation Sites and Trails BC) are simple sites with a fire pit and toilet, some free, some with a small fee.
- On Highway 37 there are many wild spots at lakes and rivers; near settlements, on reserves and in Provincial Parks wild camping is prohibited. Take all rubbish with you without exception.
- Wildfire season: heed fire bans and area closures of the BC Wildfire Service (bcwildfire.ca); with smoke and heat the situation can change within hours. Gas stoves are mostly allowed, open fires are not.
- Bears: Black bears and grizzlies are present along the whole route, especially at the salmon streams near Meziadin and Hyder. Carry bear spray within reach, keep food and rubbish in the vehicle at night, and keep your distance from bears.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, Park4Night and The Dyrt; mobile reception is scarce, so download maps offline beforehand.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations: few along the route, certainly in Terrace and Watson Lake, ask in advance in Stewart and Dease Lake; private campgrounds sometimes take guests for a fee. Empty before departure in Terrace or Kitwanga.
- Drinking water: only in towns or at campgrounds with a water point; always filter or boil river water. Carry at least 40–60 l in reserve.
- Propane in Terrace and Watson Lake, ask in advance in Stewart and Dease Lake; European bottles need adapters, and rental motorhomes have fixed tanks.
- Fuel: few stations along the route (Meziadin Junction, Bell II, Bob Quinn Lake, Iskut, Dease Lake, Good Hope Lake); distances up to 150 km, opening and stocks vary. Fill up wherever possible.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Terrace, Stewart (small) and Watson Lake; otherwise only small shops with high prices. Carry provisions for several days.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits: Highway 37 mostly 80–100 km/h, in towns 50 km/h; roadworks with waiting times are frequent. From 1 October to 30 April winter tyres or snow chains are required on designated routes; heed the signs.
- Vehicle dimensions in BC: height up to 4.15 m, width up to 2.6 m. Adjust tyre pressure on gravel.
- Border: If you drive to Hyder (Alaska) you need a passport; on returning to Canada there is a CBSA check in Stewart; declare food and weapons. Bear spray is legal in Canada but restricted in the USA; check the rules for carrying it in advance.
- Wildlife: moose collisions are common, especially at dusk; adjust your speed. In an accident call 911 or the RCMP.
- Reservations: BC Parks (camping.bcparks.ca) about four months in advance; Recreation Sites on a “first come, first served” basis.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception cuts out. Carry a satellite communicator or Starlink device and tell a trusted person your travel plan. DriveBC (drivebc.ca) shows closures.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Two spare fuel cans and a second spare wheel: distances between fuel stations can exceed 150 km, and rockfall and frost damage are frequent.
- Satellite communicator or Starlink device: mobile reception is missing over long stretches, and breakdown assistance can take a long time.
- Bear spray with a holster: grizzlies are common at the salmon streams near Meziadin and Hyder; bear spray is legal in Canada but cannot be carried on a plane.
- Windscreen protection or stone-chip film: many gravel and roadworks sections, and a broken windscreen is a typical damage.
- Water canister (20 l), water filter and a food supply for three days: supply points are rare, and prices high.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
